While the Obama Administration has appeared anything but decisive in response to field commanders’ calls for more troops in Afghanistan, the Administration is earning kudos from some for efforts to protect biodiversity. Rep. Elliot Engle has sent a “dear colleague” urging members to sign a letter to Special Envoy to Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke commending the U.S. State Department for developing a biodiversity program in Afghanistan. According to the Engle’s letter, “…thousands of Afghans have been trained in natural resource management, seven environmental laws and regulations have been drafted and 45 community committees link rural communities with the central government in deciding the future of natural resources.”

But that’s not all. Band-e-Amir, Afghanistan’s first national park was established this year. According to the Engle letter the park is a “… series of pristine travertine lakes in one of the safer regions of the country” and “has a history of drawing tourists from around the world to enjoy its cultural and environmental beauty.”

One such recent visitor was the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, who, according to the Huffington Post, “…jumped in a swan-shaped pedal boat and beamed a bright smile as he cruised the waters with different Afghan officials.” (See Ambassador peddling green swan boat here.)

Rob Gordon has researched, written and testified on endangered species, property rights, the federal estate and other environmental issues for over twenty years. He has served as professional staff on the House Resources Committee, run conservative conservation organizations and served as board member of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Board of Conservation and Recreation.

Join The Discussion

While protecting their natural resources and ensuring that such pests as the Pine Beetle do no proliferate any more than necessary, it is first necessary for the Afghans to ensure they will even have a country after we eventually leave.

The entire population, most of which are uneducated, need to be taught that all the freedom they see, will quickly disappear if the Taliban and/or Al Queda return.

I don't even want to know if the American Taxpayer is funding environmental programs in Afghanistan…

Its comforting to know that my tax dollars are going towards creation of environmentally friendly recreational areas for poppi farmers. Thank you Mr. Holbrook. Keep up the good work. If, while peddling in your swan boat, you see Mr. Bin Laden, please pass along our best wishes.

excellent pedal to the metal on the swam and be vedy vedy careful not to disturb the fauna…..THIS MORNING THREE MORE OF OUR TROOPS DIED IN AFGANISTAN AND THIS sobs are trying to pass enviromental laws instead of reinforcing our troops our deer president is still thinking about what to decide….maybe thats why there is smoke coming out of the chimney at the White House like in Rome takes time to elect a Pope……

If nothing changes, nothing changes. GET RID OF THE POPPY FIELDS! Teach the people to farm crops to feed themselves. We could have set up schools for the Afghanistan when we ran the Russians out, but we didn't. Now we are paying for that mistake. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for life. These people need a reason to turn away from "the old ways."

Don’t have time to read the Washington Post or New York Times? Then get The Morning Bell, an early morning edition of the day’s most important political news, conservative commentary and original reporting from a team committed to following the truth no matter where it leads.

Email address

Ever feel like the only difference between the New York Times and Washington Post is the name? We do. Try the Morning Bell and get the day’s most important news and commentary from a team committed to the truth in formats that respect your time…and your intelligence.